IonQ Selected for DARPA’s Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum (HARQ) Program

Insider Brief

• IonQ was selected for DARPA’s HARQ program to develop architectures for networked quantum computers across multiple qubit types.
• The program focuses on integrating trapped ions, neutral atoms, and superconducting qubits using photonic interconnects to improve scalability and performance.
• IonQ will contribute quantum memory technology based on synthetic diamond to enable high-fidelity communication and long-distance quantum networking.

PRESS RELEASE — IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), the world’s leading quantum technology company, today announced that it has been awarded a contract in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)’s Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum (HARQ) program. 

As a part of HARQ, IonQ plays a critical role in enabling a new class of networked quantum computers that combine distinct qubit types—such as, trapped ions, neutral atoms, and/or superconducting qubits—into an interconnected, high-performance architecture taking advantage of each modality’s strengths. This effort seeks to leverage advances in photonic integration and quantum interconnects for reliable communication between diverse qubit species.

“We’re pleased to be selected for DARPA’s HARQ program. IonQ’s pioneering quantum interconnect technology can enable modular scalability not only for ion traps, but for a wide range of quantum technologies,” said Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ. “We look forward to collaborating with DARPA to strengthen national security by developing the quantum platform which can serve as a backbone for networking and scaling quantum systems – across qubit types – for advanced public and private sector applications.”

IonQ’s contribution to the HARQ program focuses on quantum memories, which are the core chips around which IonQ’s quantum interconnect systems are built. Fabricated out of quantum-grade synthetic diamond, IonQ’s memories are field-leaders in networking applications ranging from datacenter-scale interconnects to advanced long-distance entanglement distribution networks, and are well-suited to supporting HARQ’s ambitious ultimate speed and fidelity targets.

IonQ’s involvement in HARQ supports the company’s mission to deliver on its aggressive commercial and technical goals. In 2025, the company achieved a world record 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity and reached the #AQ 64 milestone on its IonQ Tempo system three months ahead of schedule. In 2025, IonQ also achieved the first qubit to photon frequency conversion in a field deployable system, ensuring real-world quantum networks on existing standard fiber optic commercial infrastructure.